Buddh circuit, highway for a sporting El Dorado

For just a moment, wipe out the magnificent Taj Mahal from your consciousness; what is the greatest structure that Uttar Pradesh next throws up in your mind? One of the many statues of Mayawati?

If yes, don’t despair; all that might well change now.

The Buddh International Circuit, home to the Indian Grand Prix, towers not only over UP’s squalor-ridden landscape but also over Delhi’s entire horizon; in time, it might well even stand testimony to the country’s growing stature as a sporting El Dorado.

But wait, there’s more. It starts with the dream that is, in reality, a mirage that Bernie Ecclestone so easily sells. At least a few countries have bravely invested in him and his vision; but instead of triggering a windfall, it has left them bleeding, with white elephants by their side.

The brains and purses behind the BIC too bought into Bernie’s dream; but they turned it around into an outrageous project, which is as mind-boggling in its simplicity as in its audacity. If everything falls into place, it will transform into the ultimate sports city; in a country that, mostly, sees sport as a waste of time and money, it will be nothing short of a miracle.

At another level, it will make Incredible India (with its poverty) even more fascinating with all its wild contrasts and baffling contradictions. Its rich versus its poor; its brilliant engineers and doctors against its multitudes of illiterate; hope versus despair; profligate few against millions of hungry. The list is endless; but it’s also another story.

The fact is that the first two days – despite the grand entry of a stray dog, expected snubs and resultant embarrassment – have been a grand success. If Race Day proves to be equally grand, with a packed stadium matching every roar of each car, this could well mark the coming of age for India as a sporting nation.

Kids will promptly not race to the closest go-karting corner, which anyway barely exist; but they will know that there are other sport too, faster than the 100 miles that Shoaib Akhtar can hurl the ball at, more exciting crashes than a rising delivery crashing into Tendulkar’s helmet.

Even on television, the qualifying sessions felt exhilarating, being so close to home. The circuit itself looked spectacular, with its cute umbrellas giving it a personal touch and the main grandstand a majestic look; there were enough curves, on the track and off it, to make it exciting for, both, the drivers and the gapers.

As expected, with the championship already decided, the teams were clearly looking ahead, into the future; even then, you could sense the eagerness and the competition within as colourful cars streaked past you into a blur; each driver had his own strategy, his own goals and his own set of problems.

In the end, though, Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel easily grabbed the pole to equal another record; he simply smiled at the press conference, saying it was a tricky track but very interesting too. Lewis Hamilton, with a three-position grid penalty hovering over him, was quick but careful; Sahara Force India and Toro Rosso were happy enough with their top 10 finish to even skip the Q3.

Sunday is the big day; far away from the Taj Mahal, thousands will throng towards the BIC, hoping to become part of history. By noon itself, it will look like a bustling city, radiating joy and a new sense of pride. At 3pm, when the race begins, Indian sport will take another step towards redemption, towards a new dawn.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Author

Bobilli Vijay Kumar is TOI's National Sports Editor. He writes a weekly column, mainly on cricket; he has many interests, though, going way beyond sport itself: you can't keep him out of a movie hall or away from Floyd or Doors. He loves to cook and show off his French; he can play a tune or two on the guitar too. His current fancy, though, is salsa.

Bobilli Vijay Kumar is TOI's National Sports Editor. He writes a weekly column, mainly on cricket; he has many interests, though, going way beyond sport its. . .

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Bobilli Vijay Kumar is TOI's National Sports Editor. He writes a weekly column, mainly on cricket; he has many interests, though, going way beyond sport itself: you can't keep him out of a movie hall or away from Floyd or Doors. He loves to cook and show off his French; he can play a tune or two on the guitar too. His current fancy, though, is salsa.

Bobilli Vijay Kumar is TOI's National Sports Editor. He writes a weekly column, mainly on cricket; he has many interests, though, going way beyond sport its. . .